June 04, 2025
Exhibit Honors 175 Years of Regional Transportation
RENSSELAER, NY (June 4, 2025) The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), in partnership with the Hart Cluett Museum of Historic Rensselaer County, proudly announces the opening of “From Horse Rail to Mobility Hubs: 175 Years of Public Transportation in the Capital District,” an engaging, 8-panel public exhibit now on display at the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station in Rensselaer.
The exhibit explores the dynamic history and evolution of transportation in the Capital Region—from 19th-century horse-drawn trolleys to today’s multimodal mobility hubs. Visitors will discover the origins of independent trolley and bus operators, the rise and fall of the United Traction Company, and CDTA’s emergence in 1970 as a regional mobility leader now serving over 18.4 million riders annually by bus, micro transit, paratransit, bike share, and car share.
This new installation serves as a companion to the “Riding the Rails: A History of Rail Travel in Rensselaer County” exhibit, which launched last year at the same station and chronicled the region’s passenger rail legacy. Together, these two exhibits offer a fuller picture of how public transit—both local and intercity—has shaped and connected the Capital Region over nearly two centuries.
“This exhibit highlights not just CDTA’s legacy, but the critical role public transportation has played in the economic development of the Capital Region,” said CDTA CEO Frank Annicaro. “We’re honored to celebrate our past while looking ahead to a future of greater connectivity, access, and innovation.”
Kathy Sheehan, Executive Director of the Hart Cluett Museum and Troy & Rensselaer County Historian, noted, “This project brings to light the layered and often underappreciated stories of how people in our region have moved, connected, and built community over generations. It reflects the intersection of design, history, and public service—and we’re proud to partner with CDTA in telling that story.”
The exhibit was developed with support from Nigro Retail Properties and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) through an undergraduate research project designed by RPI student Naomi Gaylor under the direction of Professor Sara Tack.
“We’re incredibly proud of Naomi and RPI’s multi-modal design programs’ role in this project,” said Professor Sara Tack of RPI’s School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. “This exhibit not only showcases our students’ creative talents but also underscores RPI’s commitment to meaningful community engagement through the arts, history, and design.”
Exhibit Highlights Include:
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Early 1900s trolley and bus photos and narratives
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Stories of labor strikes, student fare tokens, and Children’s Day outings
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The launch of CDTA and its growth through service innovation
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CDTA’s leadership and national recognition
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The creation of today’s mobility hubs and community outreach initiative.
The exhibit is free and open to the public daily inside the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station lobby, one of the busiest Amtrak stations in the nation.
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About CDTA: CDTA is the premier mobility provider in the Capital Region, providing local, express, commuter and bus rapid transit services across its six-county service area. CDTA also operates the regional bike-share program, CDPHP Cycle! and carshare program, DRIVE. CDTA owns and operates the Joseph L. Bruno Rail Station and the Saratoga Springs Train Station. CDTA was named the 2017 Best Mid-Sized Transportation System in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.
About the Hart Cluett Museum: The Hart Cluett Museum is operated by Historic Rensselaer County, a dynamic not-for-profit educational organization established in 1927 to connect local history and heritage with contemporary life. We enrich the present and advocate for the future by bringing the region's past to life, recognizing every face and every story. In pursuit of this mission, we collect, preserve, study, interpret, and make accessible a broad variety of objects and documents. We also conduct educational programs that inspire public enthusiasm for our roots and bolster the entrepreneurial appetites of our community. For more information, visit hartcluett.org